2004 Music Review
January 4th, 2005Ok, I can’t guarantee that all of these albums were released in 2004. So think of this as “stuff I first heard in 2004″. Good enough – let’s get on with it. In no particular order…
Khonnor – Handwriting
This album has a good balance of acoustic guitar, great vocals, and scratchy electronic production. I read somewhere that the kid who made this album is 17 years old, and used a mic that came with some sort of electronic toy. Considering that I have much better equipment but nowhere near the musical talent, it makes me hate him.
Devendra Banhart – Nino Rojo
They call this genre "freak folk" apparently. Acoustic guitar, a vocal style with a unique vibrato, and unusual lyrics about animals, nature and the occasional nonsense. Favorite Devendra Banhart lyric: "and the devil will call the cats home, and he looks up to the sky". Haunting music.
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
You’ll either find The Books to be completely brilliant or the most annoying thing you’ve ever heard. I think it’s the former, F (my girlfriend) thinks it’s the latter. History will judge. The books combine banjo, lots of spoken samples and extremely sliced up production to create songs from sonic fragments. The kids call this "folktronica" these days.
The Dead Texan – The Dead Texan
i didn’t think much of this album at first, but it snuck up on me. Now it’s part of my frequently-played ambient playlist on my iPod. This album is even parts Tortoise and Brian Eno’s "Music for Airports". Think ambient post-rock with a touch of vocals and strings thrown in for organic texture. It’s dramatic music you can play all day while working without it really interrupting your train of thought. Perfect.
Juana Molina – Segundo
One of my great disappointments of the year was that Juana Molina opened up for David Byrne right up until the week I saw him twice. Her music combines acoustic guitar, light electronic beats and soundscapes, and beautiful latin vocals. It’s inviting, catchy, accessible music. It’s hard to find much to dislike about this album.
Kid Dakota – The West is the Future
Kid Dakota rocks the hell out. I don’t listen to a whole lot of rock music, but Kid Dakota is a notable exception. They’ve been playing these songs live for years now, and they haven’t much lost steam in the studio. Guitar-driven with sorta dark lyrics about lonely life on the high plains. Check them out live if you get the chance.
Iron & Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days
I was really surprised how much I liked this album. It’s emotionally gripping Southern folk music. This album doesn’t rock out once to make it’s point, but it doesn’t need to. This might be the closest thing to spiritual music I listened to this year. A competely intimately recorded album.
Colder – Colder
This might not deserve to be on this list. It’s totally derivative of New Order’s sound in the 80s. But that’s exactly why it had such a hold on me this year. It’s moody synthpop with a dry lyrical delivery. I saw them play with another New Orderesque band called "Home Video" this year. It was like I was 15 years old listening to cassettes in my bedroom again. Ah, nostalgia..
Adem – Homesongs
This is a folksy album featuring acoustic guitar, toy noises, accordion, and all types of various percussion. This album has a lot of heart, and makes me feel warm every time I listen to it. There’s a sadness to the songs, but also a refreshing feeling of intimacy to them. Another album where it’s hard to find something not to like about it.
22-20s – 22-20s
Heavily blues-influenced rock from the UK. They were rumored to play Coachella this summer, but sadly it didn’t happen. Although the bluesy-rock genre is well covered by folks like The Black Keys, the 22-20s have a slightly different take on it. Their blues influence is a bit more subtle and it’s infused with a bit of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s sound. This is good music for driving fast on an open road.